Swidden cultivation and other agricultural techniques used by the Khomu, H'mong and Thai people in Muong Phang commune in Dien Bien Province, north Vietnam

Swidden cultivation is not new to researchers and policy makers on sustainable development in mountainous areas. The relationship between ecological and cultivation systems on sloping lands was dealt with in many studies and surveys made by scientists. However, it has been rarely mentioned on the relationship of cropping systems and cultivating techniques with primary and secondary ecosystems, with various terrains and humidity as well as relationship between every ethnic group's cultivation systems and comparable ecosystems.

This paper presents the above relationships in swidden farming of Thai, Khomu and H'Mong people in Muong Phang commune, Dien Bien district, Lai Chau province.